WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's women's basketball team fell to the No. 2 Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats 59-43 on Wednesday night.

The Lancers (9-12, 2-9 Crossroads League) have been injury plagued as of late, and entered the game with just seven active players.

Despite playing shorthanded, Grace gave Indiana Wesleyan (21-0, 11-0 CL) all they could handle leading for nearly the entirety of the first half and held the high-powered Wildcats offense, which had been averaging 84.5 points per game, to the second lowest total in two years.

Grace had four different players score in the opening minutes as they traded scores with IWU.

Peyton Murphy broke a tie with a 3-point basket in the middle of the opening quarter and added a layup off of an assist from Kensie Ryman just moments later.

The Lancers doubled up the Wildcats score later in frame when Sophia Morrison connected on Grace's third trifecta of the quarter. At the quarter break Grace led 14-10.

Grace's offense struggled in the second quarter as they would shoot just 18 percent from the field, but the Lancers carried the lead deep into the half behind a strong effort from their defense.

Ryman and Maddy Poynter had Grace's two buckets in the second quarter which kept Grace in the lead until IWU edged ahead 20-19.

Bekah Marshall added a late free throw for Grace, but a last second jumper from IWU saw Grace enter the half trailing 22-19.

The Lancers shot 29 percent in the first half while holding the Wildcats to 28 percent. The Lancers connected on 43 percent of their 3-point field goals.

The second half started with the Wildcats going on a 9-2 run to push their lead 31-21. Houk momentarily broke up the Wildcats run with a tough layup in the paint, but IWU continued to stretch their lead.

After falling behind by 14 points, Murphy sparked a 6-0 run that was capped off by Becca Gerdt.

The Wildcats jumped back ahead by double digits before a late trifecta from Morrison pulled the Lancers to within 10 points entering the final stanza.

Grace shot 33 percent from the floor in the fourth quarter, but the Lancers were unable to keep pace with the Wildcats who finally found their offensive rhythm.

The Lancers were outscored 17-11 in the frame, ultimately falling 59-43.

"So proud of our team tonight," said Grace head coach Dan Davis. "Obviously injuries have taken their toll, and we were down to seven players, but these ladies refused to back down from one of the premier teams in the country. Thought that the grit and toughness we showed tonight is something we can build off for the rest of the season."

Grace finished the game shooting 33 percent while IWU shot 44 percent. The Lancers outrebounded the Wildcats 31-26 but committed eight more turnovers.

All seven active players saw playing action and played at least 21 minutes.